High Tatra

Tatra Mountains

Trip Summary

Trek Map

Introduction
Here is your chance to trek through one of the finest mountain areas Europe has to offer - the Tatras. Forming the highest and most majestic part of the Carpathian Chain, the Tatras also create form a natural barrier dividing Slovakia and the Czech Republic from Poland. No trek can truly claim to show you the Tatras without visiting both sides of the border - and that is just what we are going to do. This superb trip will give you an insight into the fabulous areas on both side of the border, with stunning walks including ascents of the highest summits of both the Polish and Slovak Tatra.
Our trip starts with sight-seeing in Cracow, the ancient capital of Poland. On the way to Zakopane, in the Polish Tatra, we visit the unique Wieliczka salt mines where a great chapel with alter and statues has been carved entirely out of the crystal salt.
Now for some energetic mountain walking days! We start with a warm up trip through the Koscieliska valley with its unique limestone scenery, cliffs and caves. Then we tackle the main ridge and some of its easier summits. After crossing the Zawrat pass we trek through the isolated Valley of the Five Lakes to Moskie Oko, "the Eye of the Sea", a gem of a lake. From the lodge here we ascend Rysy, 2499m, the highest peak in the Polish Tatras. The next day we transfer to Slovakia for a long walk up the Medodoly valley to bring us to the Brynclova Hut, a magnificent mountain setting. A steep ascent out of the valley over the Baranie pass offers dramatic views of precipitous Lomnity Stit. After a night in the small health resort we continue through rugged landcape to Sliesky Dom. From here we have an option to ascend Gerlach, (2654m), the highest summit; this is a demanding, yet fun, scramble.
After the splendour of the mountains we go off to the wonderful city of Prague with its wealth of Gothic and Baroque architecture.

Traverse of High Tatra & Prague Grade B
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A high quality, vehicle supported trek visiting historical cities and picturesque Tatra towns. We fly (BA) into Cracow in Poland and leave via Prague. City tours of Cracow and Prague are combined with the best mountain walks in the High Tatra. Optional opportunity to climb Gerlach - the highest summit in the Tatra 2654m.
Walking is on well-maintained paths but fitness is required for some longer days. Apart from hotels in towns our High Tatra trek uses the excellent Tatra mountain lodge system. These lodges vary in quality but all provide good food, bed-linen and hot showers. In the lodges accommodation is generally in four or more person rooms, but some have a two person room.

Outline Itinerary
Day 1	Fly London/Cracow. Our hotel is in the old town and close to the market place.
Day 2	Morning guided tour of Wawel. Afternoon free to explore Cracow.
Day 3	Drive to Zakopane via Wieliczka Salt Mine (impressive salt carvings).
Day 4-12	Trekking in the High Tatra.
Day 13	Walk down to Tatranska Lomnica. Dinner in the hotel before catching the overnight sleeper train to Prague.
Day 14	Arrival in Prague and transfer to the hotel for breakfast before our morning guided tour of the principal attractions of Prague. Free afternoon.
Day 15	Breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transfer to the city centre. Time in the city before transfering to the airport for the flight back to London.

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